BULL’S-EYE CANADIAN NATIONAL BBQ CHAMPIONSHIPS SETS THE STAGE FOR A FOOD-FILLED WEEKEND IN WHISTLER, AUGUST 2-4

Winemaker’s Dinner, Mountain Top BBQ Series, And Araxi Longtable Round Out Three Days of Gastro-Fabulous Events

WHISTLER, BC, July 15, 2013 – Never has the culinary scene at Whistler Blackcomb been more widely celebrated than it will be this August long weekend. From August 2 to 4, 2013 Whistler will play host to the first Winemaker’s Dinner of the season, the Mountain Top BBQ Series on Whistler Mountain, the Araxi Longtable event at Lost Lake, and at the centre of it all, the BULL’S-EYE Canadian National BBQ Championships.

This will be the 12th year in a row the Bull’s-Eye Canadian National BBQ Championships have taken place at Dusty’s Bar & BBQ in Whistler Creekside. From August 2-4, grill masters from throughout North America will gather in Whistler to compete for the honour of "Canadian Grand Champion,” $7,000 in cash and prizes, as well as a spot in at the World BBQ Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The BBQ Championships is one of the summer highlights in Whistler and is such a great experience for locals and guests alike,” says Joshua Kearns, Dusty’s Bar & BBQ Manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “It’s a perfect way to spend the long weekend with friends and family, with tons of great food to enjoy and live music all day and all night.”

In addition to the fiery competition and non-stop live music BBQ aficionados have come to expect over the years, Whistler Blackcomb is introducing a number of new events to the 2013 BULL’S-EYE Canadian National BBQ Championships schedule to spice things up even more:

Friday, August 2: The weekend kicks off on Friday night with Whole Lotta Ribs ft. Whole Lotta Led. This new event includes an all-you-can-eat ribs dinner at Dusty’s Bar & BBQ, plus a special acoustic set by Whistler’s own Led Zeppelin Tribute Band, Whole Lotta Led. Advance tickets are available for $20 at Dusty’s while quantities last, and ticket holders will also get free cover into the Whole Lotta Led night show beginning at 9 p.m..

Saturday, August 3: The festivities continue on Saturday with foodsamples by donation, live music beginning at noon, and the first day of BBQ competition, including the 12th Annual Backyard Burger Championship, presented by BULL’S-EYE BBQ Sauce, the CASI Canadian International Chili Championship, and the Budweiser King of the Grill competition12th Annual Backyard Burger Championship presented by BULL'S-EYE BBQ Sauce12th Annual Backyard Burger Championship presented by BULL'S-EYE BBQ Sauce12th Annual Backyard Burger Championship presented by BULL'S-EYE BBQ Sauce. The evening finishes off with the new Bottomless BBQ Buffet at Dusty’s Bar & BBQ, featuring suckling pig, bbq chicken, and all the fixin’s, followed by a free live show from FOMO at 9 p.m.. Advance tickets are available for $30 at Dusty’s while quantities last.

Sunday, August 4: The final day of competition starts bright and early with the new $1 (per) Pancake Breakfast at Dusty’s Bar & BBQ. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and all proceeds will go to the Whistler Rotary Club. The BBQ Competition will continue beginning at 11 a.m., with judging in the Pork Butt, Ravenswood Pork & Cork, Beef Brisket, Chicken, and Ribs categories. The entire weekend will come to a close with free shows from The Hairfarmers and The Matinee beginning at 6 p.m..

More information about the Bull’s-Eye Canadian National BBQ Championships, including the full schedule of events can be found at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/bbq.

On Friday, August 2 Whistler Blackcomb will host its first Winemaker’s Dinner of the summer. Featuring Ravenswood Winery, the Winemaker’s Dinner will consist of a five-course meal at 6,000ft prepared by Whistler Blackcomb’s Executive Chef. With a focus on sustainability and sourcing only the finest ingredients from local suppliers, each course will be paired with one of Ravenswood’s select wines. Tickets are $85 CAD plus tax and can be purchased at Guest Relations or by calling 1-800-766-7449.

Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Top BBQ Series
When: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until September
Where: Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain

The Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Top BBQ Series features sizzling barbeques and live entertainment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening all summer long at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. Guests can ride up the Whistler Village Gondola and enjoy mouth-watering BBQ, fresh salads and delicious desserts with stunning views at 6,000ft. Whether dining inside or on the scenic patio, it’s a memorable experience. The Mountain Top BBQ Series includes Whole Hog Fridays, Slow Roasted Prime Rib BBQ on Saturdays and Pacific Seafood Grill Sundays. For full menus and to make a dinner reservation, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/on-mountain-dining/summer-mountain-top-dining.

The Araxi Longtable Dinner
When: August 3, 2013
Where: Lost Lake in Whistler Village

Each summer, Araxi Head Chef James Walt and his team deliver a truly unforgettable series of outdoor dining experiences called the Araxi Longtable Events. These informal but elegantly served dinners allow guests to dine al fresco, meet our local suppliers, and enjoy exclusive wine tastings and pairings orchestrated by Araxi’s acclaimed Wine Director, Samantha Rahn. On Saturday, August 3 Araxi will host a Longtable event at Lost Lake in Whistler Village, featuring wines from Quails Gate Winery and spirits by Pemberton Distillery.

Deals and Packages
This year’s Bull’s-Eye Canadian National BBQ Championships special room rate starts at $135 per night, valid July 31 to August 6. To plan a trip to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America this winter, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com to book online, or call 1-888-403-4727.

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About Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, over 8,000 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,090 centimetres (430 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.

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